Authorities are advising you to exercise extra vigilance as
the festive season approaches to guard against falling prey to felons
leveraging heightened activities to commit crimes.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo says the Christmas and New Year
festive season is traditionally marked with increased travel, celebrations,
shopping, social gatherings and outdoor entertainment events.
Even though the current security situation across the
country remains calm, Omollo said an analysis has noted an increase in a number
of criminal activities linked to the festivities.
“We have witnessed isolated cases of marginal rise in crime
rates and illegal activities during some festive seasons in the past (which)
highlights the trends requiring vigilance,” he said.
Addressing a press briefing at his Harambee House office on
Wednesday, Omollo urged the public to be on the lookout for petty offenders
such as pickpockets while in crowded places such as shopping malls, markets and
public transport termini.
“Crowded areas become easy points for criminals targeting
valuables such as jewellery, mobile phones and handbags,” he said.
In his address on the state of security preparedness during the festive season, Omollo said those who opt to stay home in favour of online shopping need to also exercise caution as counterfeit goods and cybercrime are also rampant.
He said the shopping rush has seen a rise in counterfeit
electronics, toys, and online fraud targeting unsuspecting buyers with fake
promotions.
The PS advised parents and guardians to be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times as they could also be targeted by criminal elements.
“Criminals leverage the holiday period for drug distribution
and exploit vulnerable children in urban centres for begging or other illegal
activities, especially Gender-Based Violence,” Omollo said.
Those planning to travel, he said, should make arrangements
for someone to watch over their homes, noting that unattended homes present opportunities
for burglars.
“We have also witnessed a surge in car breaks in the villages where families have travelled upcountry,” he said, highlighting the risk that may come with lowering one’s guard once in the village.
Omollo, however, assured the public that sufficient security
measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of all
citizens and visitors during the festive period.
He said a robust, multi-agency security plan has been
activated and security enhanced at entry and exit points, critical
infrastructure installations and places of worship and entertainment venues.
Omollo said he has further directed the National Police
Service to develop festive season Operation Orders to coordinate security
operations in all counties and directed all officers currently on leave to resume
duty immediately and not later than Wednesday, December 5, to facilitate 24/7
manning of all multi-agency command centres.
“Kenyans should also expect to see more police presence and
visibility because we have deployed more specialised units to intensify
patrols and heighten surveillance in the major towns,” Omollo said.
